Alleged Bondi Gunmen Acted Alone and Did Not Training in the Philippines, Authorities Confirm.
The two suspected individuals responsible for the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, per Australian authorities.
Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Visit
Investigators have stated the duo did not receive any type of terrorist training or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Initial investigations from local officials point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively reviewing the evidence," she stated, adding that early reviews show that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these suspects were members of a wider organization, or were directed by others to perpetrate an act of violence," the police chief said.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She underscored that, since the inquiry is still active, additional details could surface.
Ideology and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—are accused of having shot participants at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
